Hood construction

ABSTRACT

A hood for use over a basic oxygen furnace is disclosed. The hood is adapted to be supported in a structural frame between the furnace and an exhaust stack. The sidewalls of the hood are made up of a series of panels arranged one atop another. The panels are supported on support columns in such a manner that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another and each panel is thereby removable for replacement or repair without disturbing any of the others. Provision is also made in the manner of supporting the panels to allow for expansion and contraction of the panels without the imposition of any stresses on the supporting means which secure the panels to the support columns. The panels are water cooled and each is constructed to maintain a generally back and forth flow of water therethrough.

3,257,106 6 /l966 Preston I United States Patent 2 1 lnwnwr Alb"! Reid 3.320.931 5/1967 Durham 1 1 266/H Glwshawll, 332 198 5 1967 Queer/11.33.11. 266/31 1 1 pp No 790,375 3,323,495 6/1967 Blaskowskimwr. 266/31 Filed J 3,347,539 l0/1967 Mitchell et al 266/31 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignee Dravo Corporation Primary Examiner-Gerald A Dost pinsbufgh, Attorney---Parmelee Utzler & Welsh I ABSTRACT: A hood for use over a..basic oxygen furnace is [54] ,2 HOOD CONSTRUCTION disclosed. The hood is adapted to be supported in a structural 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs frame between the furnace and .an exhaust stack The sidewalls of the hood are made up of a series of panels ar- [52] US. Cl 266/31, (ranged one atop women The panels are supportgd on Support 98/1 151 52/573 columns in such a manner that the weight of any one panel is [5 l 1 CI "i Czlb 7/08 not imposed on another and each panel is thereby removable {510] Field of Search 98/1 for replacement or repair without disturbing any of the others. 52/271 573; 26613 L 36 P Provision is also made in the manner of supporting the panels [56] References Cited I to allow for expansion and contraction of the panels without the imposition of any stresses on the supporting means which 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS secure the panels to the support columns. The panels are 3,197,186 7/1965 Mirigay 266/31 water cooled and each is constructed to maintain a generally 266/36 back and forth flow of water therethrough.

PATENTEUJULZOIHYI $593,974

sum 1 0r 3 ALBERT 5., REID A f r orneys PATENYEU JULEOIBTI 3 593 I 974 SHEET 2 [1F 3 l/V l/E/V TOR. ALBERT B. REID m, 254, w/M

Attorneys PATENTEUJULZOIBH 3,593,974

sum 3 or 3 I I II I l/VVEN TOR. ALBERT 8. REID 3m, W2 414M A f rorneys aooncous'rnucrion BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a hood construction for a metallurgical furnace and more particularly to a hood construction for a basic oxygen furnace.

2. Background and Purpose of the Invention It is the usual practice to mount an exhaust hood or ductin a supporting frame structure over the mouth of a basic oxygen furnace for conducting waste gases and fumes evolved from the furnace during the refining process to a refractory-lined stack having an exhaust fan for removing the waste gases and fumes. The fluids emerging from the furnace are at a very high temperature and to prevent damage to the hood and to cool the fluids prior to their entering the stack, the hood is generally jacketed or made up of vertically elongated panels having a cooling fluid, such as water, continuously flowing therethrough. Hoods of this type heretofore constructed have certain limitations which the present invention seeks to overcome.

SUMMARY Briefly, the present invention provides an exhaust hood adapted to be supported in a structural frame between the top of a basic oxygen furnace and an exhaust stack. Thehood formed of a series of horizontally extending water cooled panels arranged one on top of another to provide the sidewalls of the hood. Each panel has a cold water inlet pipe at its bottom and a hot water outlet pipe at its top with the inlet and outlet pipes being diagonally opposite each other. While the panels forming each sidewall of the hood are arranged one on top of another, each is independently supported by support means secured on the support columns so that the columns.

carry the weight of the panels and the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another. Also, the panels are supported on the columns in such a manner so as to allow each panel to ex pand as it heats up, and contract when the hood is cold, without imposing any stresses on the supporting means for the panels, on the panels or on the support columns. Because each panel is independently supported, each may be removed for replacement or repairwithout disturbing any of the others.

Each of the panels forming the sides of the hood are formed of spaced inner and outer plates defining between them a water circulating chamber. Baffles are providing within the water chamber to maintain a generally back-and-forth flow of water in the water chamber to cool the panels and therefore to cool the hot fluids being discharged from the furnace.

Other advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing only a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view in side elevation of the general arrangement of the hood or exhaust apparatus of the present invention shown in operative relationship between the mouth ofa mctallurgical furnace and an exhaust stack;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation ofa panel used in the construction of the hood shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the typical configuration of the panels;

FIG. 2a is a view on an enlarged scale taken along the line u 2 Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. I shows a side elevation of a hood I0 according to the present invention. The hood 10 has an open top and bottom and is supported at an angle to a vertical position in a structural frame 12 over the top ofa basic oxygen furnace 14.

As best seen in FIG. 4 the hood It] is of rectangular cross section and has two pairs of opposing sidewalls 18, 20 and 22, 24. Each of the sidewalls are arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure or passageway between the furnace l4 and a stack 25 for conducting the gases emerging from the furnace 14 to the stack 25. Each of the sidewalls is formed of a plurality of panels 26 arranged one atop the other. While the panels 26 forming each sidewall are stacked one on top of another, each is independently supported on a plurality ofsupport columns 28 which are arranged in spaced relation to the sidewalls of the hood 10 with each support column 28 being disposed at the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls. The columns 28 may be secured to the frame 12 in any suitable manner.

Thedetail of the manner of supporting the panels is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the support columns 28 is provided at vertically spaced intervals with supporting elements shown generally at 30 and each of the panels is provided on its opposite ends with mounting brackets shown generally at 34.

Each 'of the supporting elements 30 comprises a pair of spacedapart anchor portions 36 whichare welded to the support columns as at 38, a plate member 40 spanning the space between anchor portions 36, and an arm member 42 secured to the plate member 40 and which extends inwardly from the anchor portions 36 toward the panels 26. Each of the arm members 42 has a notch 44 in its upper edge and each of the arms 42 is secured to a plate member 40 by two pins 46 shown in detail in FIG. 6. These pins 46 are provided with openings 48 on their inner ends for receiving wedge keys 50. The reason for securing the arms 42 to the plate members 40 in this fashion will become clear as the description proceeds.

Each of the mounting brackets 34 provided on the panels 26 comprise a cross bar 52 carried on two upstanding ears 54 that are welded or otherwise secured to the outside faces of the panels 26. There are four such mounting brackets provided on each of the panels 26, one being located at each corner of the panel.

The supporting elements 30 are configuratedor shaped to slidably and releasably receive the crossbars 52 of mounting brackets 34 to effect releasable securement of the panels 26 to the supporting elements 30 and thus to the support columns 38 while permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements 30 and the mounting brackets 34. This permits each panel 26 to expand as it heats up, and contract when the hood I0 is cold without imposing any stresses on the supporting elements 30 and the brackets 34 or on the panels 26 or on the support columns 28. In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the adjoining sidewalls of the hood 10 are separated as at 56 with sufficient clearance between them to allow for expansion. Also, as best seen in FIG. 4, the supporting elements 30 of each support column 28 are in supporting engagement with the mounting brackets 34 of the panels 26 of two adjacent sidewalls whereby each of the panels 26 in each sidewall is supported between two adjacent support columns 28.

The panels are thus'supported by the support columns 28 at each of their ends, so that the support columns 28 carry the weight of the panels 26 and the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another. With this arrangement any one panel 26 may be removed without disturbing the others.

To remove any panel 26, it is necessary only to knock out one of the keys 50 on each of the arms 42 supporting the panel and allow the arms to pivot about the other pin, letting the notch 44 drop away from the cross bars '52. In order to keep the arms 42 out of the way when a panel is being removed or replaced, wooden wedges may be usedl to bind them against free swinging. Sash chains 56 are provided on the pins 46 and wedge keys 50 to prevent misplacemcnt thereof when a panel In being removed.

Referring back to H6 I it can be seen that the uppermost panels and the lowermost panels of the hood l are supported by supporting elements 58 and 59. respectively, which are secured to the framework 12 rather than to the support columns 28. However, except for their location and a slight difference in construction to adapt the supporting elements 58 and 59 for their location. they serve the same purpose and function in the same manner as supporting elements 30.

The panels 26, except for the uppermost and lowermost panels, are generally trapezoidal in shape in the sidewalls I8, 20, and are generally rectangular in shape in the sidewalls 22, 24. The difference in shape of the uppermost and lowermost panels of the hood is of course required adjacent the stack and furnace in order that the hood be adapted for effective use between them. Aside from the difference in shape ofsome of the panels 26 to accommodate for their relative location in the hood, each is of substantially like construction.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 20, each of the panels is formed of spaced inner and outer plate members 60 and 62, respectively, which define between them a water circulating chamber 64.

The inner plate of each panel has its peripheral edges turned inwardly, as shown at 66, and the outer plate member 62 is welded to these edges, as is shown at 68, so that the weld is remote from the heated inner plate. Each outer plate member 62 is provided with a cold water inlet opening and pipe 70 at its bottom, and diagonally opposite pipe 70, with a hot water outlet opening and pipe 72 at its top. Water pipes-(not shown) are connected to the pipes 70 and 72 for supplying and removing the water therefrom. Each outer plate 62 hasa plurality of bafl'les 7.4 comprised of elongated plate sections welded thereto along their upper edges 75. The baffles 74 extend lengthwise of the panel and provide a sinuous passageway from inlet opening and pipe 70 to outlet opening and pipe 72. The lower or free edges 76 of these baffles are spaced from and are not joined to the inner plate 60 so that the innerplate may warp or expand and contract and not impose any stresses on the outer plate 62. The baffles 74 maintain a generally back-and-forth flow of water in the chamber 64 to insure an effective and quick cooling of the panels and hence the cool-. ing of the hood fluids being discharged from the furnace.

lclaim:

I. In a structure having a plurality of sidewalls arranged to form an enclosure,

a plurality of support columns disposed adjacent the juncture of adjacent sidewalls, each support column having a plurality of supporting elements secured thereto, and a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other forming the sidewalls, each panel having bracket means on opposite ends thereof, the supporting elements on the support columns being configurated to slidably and releasably receive the bracket means on the panels to effect releasable securement of the panels to the supporting elements and thus to the support columns while permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the mounting brackets.

2. The combination comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure, the sidewalls each comprised of a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other,

a plurality of support columns, each support column disposed adjacent to the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls,

a plurality of supporting elements extending from each of the support columns, and

mounting bracketsdisposed at opposite side edges of each of the panels,

the supporting elements being arranged on each of the support columns and shaped to releasably engage the mounting brackets on the panels and support the panels in each sidewall independently of one another and between two adjacent support columns such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another while also permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the mounting brackets.

3. A hood construction comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure having an open top and bottom,

a plurality of support columns arranged in spaced relation to the sidewalls-with each support column disposed at the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls,

a plurality of support elements extending from and secured respectively to each of the support columns, wherein the support elements are shaped to slidably and releasably engage the bracket means on the panels to effect releasable securement of the panels to the supporting elements and thus to the support columns while permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the bracket means, and

a plurality of panels forming the sidewalls, each panel having bracket means secured on the opposite ends thereof, the panels in each sidewall being arranged one atop the other with supporting elements of each support column in supporting engagement with bracket means of panels of two adjacent sidewalls whereby each of the panels in each sidewall is supported between two adjacent support columns.

4. A hood construction as defined in claim 3 wherein the support elements are arranged on each of the support columns and shaped so as to releasably support the panels in each sidewall such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another and each panel may be removed for replacement or repair without disturbing any of the others.

5. In a hood construction, the combination comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls arranged in sidc-by-side relation to define an enclosure having an open top and bottom, the sidewalls each comprised of a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other, each of the panels having mounting brackets disposed at opposite sides thereof,

a plurality of support columns, each support column disposed adjacent the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls,

a plurality of panel supporting elements extending form each of the support columns,

the support elements being constructed and arranged on the support columns and the mounting brackets being constructed and arranged on the panels to slidably and releasably support the panels in each sidewall between two adjacent support columns such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another while also permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the brackets without the imposition of stresses on the panels or the support columns.

6. The combination as specified in claim 5, wherein each of said panels comprise spaced inner and outer plate members, the plate members being secured to one another and defining between them a water circulating chamber, the outer plate member having inlet and outlet openings at opposite diagonal comers, and a plurality of baffle means secured solely to outer plate member and disposed within the water circulating chamber to provide a sinuous passageway between the inlet and outlet openings.

7. The combination as specified in claim 6, wherein the baf fle means is comprised of plate sections having upper and lower edges, the plate sections being secured to the outer plate member at their upper edges and spaced from the inner panel at their lower edges whereby the inner plate may expand and contract and not impose any stresses on the outer plate member.

8. The combination as specified in claim 5, wherein said mounting brackets comprise two upstanding ear portions attached to the outside of the panels with a crossbar extending between and supported by said ear portions, and said supporting elements including extending arms which have a notched upper surface portion which engages the cross bar to support said panel. 

1. In a structure having a plurality of sidewalls arranged to form an enclosure, a plurality of support columns disposed adjacent the juncture of adjacent sidewalls, each support column having a plurality of supporting elements secured thereto, and a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other forming the sidewalls, each panel having bracket means on opposite ends thereof, the supporting elements on the support columns being configurated to slidably and releasably receive the bracket means on the panels to effect releasable securement of the panels to the supporting elements and thus to the support columns while permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the mounting brackets.
 2. The combination comprising: a plurality of sidewalls arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure, the sidewalls each comprised of a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other, a plurality of support columns, each support column disposed adjacent to the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls, a plurality of supporting elements extending from each of the support columns, and mounting brackets disposed at opposite side edges of each of the panels, the supporting elements being arranged on each of the support columns and shaped to releasably engage the mounting brackets on the panels and support the panels in each sidewall independently of one another and between two adjacent support columns such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another while also permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the mounting brackets.
 3. A hood construction comprising: a plurality of sidewalls arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure having an open top and bottom, a plurality of support columns arranged in spaced relation to the sidewalls with each support column disposed at the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls, a plurality of support elements extending from and secured respectively to each of the support columns, wherein the support elements are shaped to slidably and releasably engage the bracket means on the panels to effect releasable securement of the panels to the supporting elements and thus to the support columns while permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the bracket means, and a plurality of panels forming the sidewalls, each panel having bracket means secured on the opposite ends thereof, the panels in each sidewall being arranged one atop the other with supporting elements of each support column in supporting engagement with bracket means of panels of two adjacent sidewalls whereby each of the panels in each sidewall is supported between two adjacent support columns.
 4. A hood construction as defined in claim 3 wherein the support elements are arranged on each of the support columns and shaped so as to releasably support the panels in each sidewall such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another and each panel may be removed for replacement or repair without disturbing any of the others.
 5. In a hood construction, the combination comprising: a plurality of sidewalls arranged in side-by-side relation to define an enclosure having an open top and bottom, the sidewalls each comprised of a plurality of panels arranged one atop the other, each of the panels having mounting brackets disposed at opposite sides thereof, a plurality of support columns, each support column disposed adjacent the juncture of two adjacent sidewalls, a plurality of panel supporting elements extending form each of the support columns, the support elements being constructed and arranged on the support columns and the mounting brackets being constructed and arranged on the panels to slidably and releasably support the panels in each sidewall between two adjacent support columns such that the weight of any one panel is not imposed on another while also permitting sliding movement between the supporting elements and the brackets without the imposition of stresses on the panels or the support columns.
 6. The combination as specified in claim 5, wherein each of said panels comprise spaced inner and outer plate members, the plate members being secured to one another and defining between them a watEr circulating chamber, the outer plate member having inlet and outlet openings at opposite diagonal corners, and a plurality of baffle means secured solely to outer plate member and disposed within the water circulating chamber to provide a sinuous passageway between the inlet and outlet openings.
 7. The combination as specified in claim 6, wherein the baffle means is comprised of plate sections having upper and lower edges, the plate sections being secured to the outer plate member at their upper edges and spaced from the inner panel at their lower edges whereby the inner plate may expand and contract and not impose any stresses on the outer plate member.
 8. The combination as specified in claim 5, wherein said mounting brackets comprise two upstanding ear portions attached to the outside of the panels with a crossbar extending between and supported by said ear portions, and said supporting elements including extending arms which have a notched upper surface portion which engages the cross bar to support said panel. 